Canton GLE 401 Bookshelf speakers

The German GLE 401 loudspeakers have very large 160-mm mid-woofers, designed for a long stroke (aluminum diffusers, rubber suspension), and tweeters with a classic soft fabric dome with a diameter of 25 mm. The bands are divided by a filter configured at 3200 Hz. But the idea mostly surprises with its simplicity - as if ordinary two-way shelf monitors were cut into two halves and became almost flat wall speakers of closed design. Does this approach justify itself?

Listening convinces: yes, it justifies! Despite the very small internal volume of the body, Canton GLE 401 has a very dynamic bass. At wall placement low frequencies are reproduced deeply and convincingly. Claims arise only to high basses - they sound a little denser than we would like. But if you install loudspeakers with a gap of 5-10 centimeters between them and a wall, the musical balance becomes generally ideal. You won't wish best for such money.

If you try to describe the sound of Canton GLE 401 in a one word, then the most suitable characteristic is transparency. These German loudspeakers demonstrate a clear and well-developed sound. Tonal balance is not "budgetary" for them. There is no coloring, MF and HF bands are docked exemplary - bright saturated timbres are perfectly distinguishable. Also there are some shortcomings, which concern only subtle micro-dynamics. But, despite this, I would choose without hesitation GLE 401 as a multimedia speaker system for my desktop PC studio. They do not take much space, and at the same time do not have too low sensitivity; they give a surprisingly open, well-echeloned scene, do not distort the performer's emotionality and recreate a living acoustic atmosphere. These kids can conquer even the most sophisticated music lovers.